De Havilland DH-88 Comet

[Red Max]

/media/tinymce_upload/b2845b8acfb264e9990ef6ad7d42c521.jpgLast year a company (SBS) launched a new 1/72 scale resin model of the famous racing Comets of the 1930s.  The Airfix model of this aircraft is almost as old as the original aircraft and whilst Airfix has updated the boxing and decals, the plastic is horribly dated and quite frankly, the new SBS model knocks it into a top hat.  However, the SBS kit is very expensive and has some faults but having released several different versions of the kit (even if it is resin) it would be hard to compete with at 1/72 scale.

At 1/72 scale the DH88 Comet is a very wee model and it really needs to be modelled at 1/48 scale so that its fantastic lines can be shown off. Although only five of these aircraft where originally built there are at least 15 different paint finishes as diverse and colourful as one could possibly wish for. At 1/48 scale this would be a wonderful model if Airfix could be persuaded to invest in it.

At Derby Airport the first Comet built 'Black Magic' is being restored for flight and along side it, a replica is being constructed with the intention of it being painted as the record breaking 'Green One'.  These two planes along with 'Grosvenor House' at the Shuttleworth collection are raising a great deal of interest in this plane that was created especially for the 1934 MacRobertson Air Race from England to Australia.

Airfix would, I am sure, profit from the creation of a new 1/48 scale model of this fabulous aeroplane to replace their very dated 1/72 model.

 

[Rob Mc]

I have to agree with Red Max, the current offering is so poor. I did manage to make something decent out of it but as someone mentioned before here I think, if it was the first kit someone tried they might be permanently put off the hobby. I have the red and green and am still trying to source Black Magic just for the gold decals .otherwise I'd convert a Grosevnor House but a retool by airfix in ANY scale would be most welcome.

[Oliver Hyett]

The original moulding is absolutely terrible but if airfix did a new tooling even if it is in 1/72 I think that Black magic, Grosevnor House and the green one should all be able to be bought in a gift set, not with 1 model and 3 options but with 3 models so they can be seen side by side.

Hey Mr. airfix what about that?

[Rob Mc]

The original moulding is absolutely terrible but if airfix did a new tooling even if it is in 1/72 I think that Black magic, Grosevnor House and the green one should all be able to be bought in a gift set, not with 1 model and 3 options but with 3 models so they can be seen side by side.

Hey Mr. airfix what about that?

Oh nice idea...wonder has anyone modelled all the MacRobertson race aircraft?

[the F-111C dude]

if this year was 2014 airfix could release some 80th aniversery sets which could be very popular but its 2016so i think my idea an idea behind its time! 😆

[ian_rutland]

I would be really happy to see Airfix revisit this aircraft.  I would buy and build the three racers plus the RAF aircraft.  It would go nicely with my ongoing Mosquito collection.

It would make a nice set with a dome shaped World Base showing the Race Route and three model mounts.

 

Other aircraft went to Portugal, France and Canada, I belive.

[Red Max]

 Although there were only five DH88 built the five planes had a number of different paint and marking schemes that will delight most modellers. Here is a list of the colour schemes and marking options that one might consider...G-ACSP; The Prototype E1, Black Magic, Salazar CS-AAJ. G-ACSR; The Green Un, Reine Astrid, Jean Mermoz F-ANPZ, French Air Force E1-09.  G-ACSS; Grosvenor House, RAF K-5084, The Orphan, The Burberry, Australian Anniversary, Pre-flight Restoration and Shuttleworth restoration.  F-ANPY; Cite d’Angouleme IV, French Air Force H-609.  G-ADEF; Boomerang 1, Boomerang 2, The US Replica N88XD. I make that 18 paint and markings options.....

1/48 scale or larger would make me happy.

[Peregrine]

This is another example of where the decal service has some value.

1 kit, with a sheet of decals in the box enabling you to build any of the three planes. It has taken me ages to find "Black Magic". Still waiting on the delivery from foreign supplier. It would have been nice to just place an order for three of the same, knowing the provided decals would enable construction of all three.

[Captain Triggers]

I would quite like if they did a gift set of all 5 in all scales (yes that does include 1 144 and 1 32 scale)